2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT transmission

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-96.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly in¯ation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is in¯ated to the
correct tire in¯ation pressure, make sure that the spare
tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try to rotate or
turn the tire. If it moves, use the wheel wrench/ratchet to
tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-76.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-17.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission ¯uid level; add if needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-21.
A ¯uid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system
and repair if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assembly, secondary latch,
pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, rear compartment
hinges, outer tailgate handle pivot points, latch bolt,
fuel door hinge and folding seat hardware. Part D tells
you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-12

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the
regular brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-35if necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-35if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don't start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-13

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
·The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
·The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front of your
vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be ready to
apply the regular brake at once should the
vehicle begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
·To check the parking brake's holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
·To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ¯ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-14

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil
on page 5-14.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
ž
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-24.
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052884,
in Canada 993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12378261, in
Canada 10953455) or equivalent
meeting GM Speci®cation 9986115.
6-17

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Transfer CaseDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Front Axle
Propshaft
SplineSpline Lubricant, Special Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345879,
in Canada 10953511) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
GM 9985830.
Hood HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Outer Tailgate
Handle Pivot
PointsMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 10953014, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Te¯on,
Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12371287,
in Canada 10953437, or equivalent).
6-18

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-458-8006, or write:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
P.O. Box 33169
Detroit, MI 48232-5169
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
General Motors of Canada Limited
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and speci®cations for GM
transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-10

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-101
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-93
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-67
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-93
Setting the Time..........................................3-66
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-98
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-99
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-101
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-24
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Level Control...................................4-51
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-12
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-13
Automatic Transmission...................................5-21
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-32
B
Backing Up....................................................4-58
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-60
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-19
Battery..........................................................5-43
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-39Before You Drive............................................3-82
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-18
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-12
Brake Adjustment............................................5-42
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-30
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-42
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brake............................................................2-35
Parking......................................................2-35
System Inspection.......................................6-16
System Warning Light..................................3-38
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-28
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-57
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-57
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-53
Headlamps.................................................5-58
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-57
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-64
Taillamps....................................................5-63
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
2

Fluid.............................................................5-21
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM Stereo.....................................................3-99
Fog Lamps....................................................3-17
Following Distance..........................................4-58
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Fuel Information Button....................................3-50
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-61
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-46
System Inspection.......................................6-16
Fuses..........................................................5-101
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-101
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-101G
Gage............................................................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Oil Pressure...............................................3-44
Speedometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Transmission Temperature.............................3-40
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-37
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-48
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-51
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-20
Glove Box.....................................................2-52
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
7